…..Minister of Women Affairs Says Nigerian Girls and Boys Must Shape National Decisions as Government Intensifies Fight Against Child Marriage, Violence and Exclusion
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and empowering Nigerian children, especially adolescent girls, with the launch of fresh national initiatives aimed at amplifying youth voices, ending harmful practices, and expanding educational opportunities across the country.
Speaking at the High-Level Inter-Generational Dialogue with Adolescent Girls held at the Abuja Continental Hotel to commemorate the 2026 National Children’s Day, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, declared that the voices of Nigerian girls and boys must no longer remain at the margins of national development.
Addressing development partners, civil society groups, international organisations, and young participants under the theme “Her Voice, Her Power,” the Minister described Nigerian children as “present-day catalysts of transformation” whose contributions are critical to nation-building.
“In this new Nigeria, we are intentional about one principle: the voices of both our girls and our boys must not only be heard — they must influence outcomes,” she stated.
The Minister revealed that the Federal Government is accelerating efforts to close long-standing development gaps affecting young Nigerians through policies anchored on justice, protection, and inclusion. She said the administration is strengthening the domestication of the Child Rights Act across all 36 states while intensifying enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
She further disclosed that government has developed major national frameworks including the National Costed Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children, the National Costed Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage, and the Strategy for Ending Female Genital Mutilation, while a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Policy is also set for adoption.
Highlighting the alarming realities confronting girls in Nigeria, the Minister cited statistics showing that about 30 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence, while one in three girls is married before the age of 18 — a figure rising to nearly 48 percent in rural communities.
According to her, millions of girls remain out of school, particularly in conflict-affected regions where vulnerability to exploitation and displacement is highest.
To address these challenges, she announced that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank through the AGILE Project, is scaling educational access and digital literacy programmes expected to reach more than 8.6 million girls across 18 states.
The Minister warned that practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation carry severe social and economic consequences for the nation.
“When a girl is subjected to child marriage or violence, the nation loses productivity, potential, and long-term economic value,” she said.
In a move to deepen youth participation and expression, the Ministry unveiled a new national podcast initiative titled “FutureNow,” designed as a platform where Nigerian girls and boys can openly share their experiences, perspectives, and aspirations.
The initiative builds on the growing influence of youth-focused advocacy platforms such as the Yes Girl Podcast, which has amplified the voices of adolescent girls across Africa.
The event also featured solidarity remarks from Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, who urged Nigerian children to dream boldly and remain courageous.
She called on parents, communities, and government institutions to deliberately create systems that allow children — especially girls — to thrive.
“When you give girls education, you set them up for progress. Their voices are not small. It is our collective responsibility to ensure ‘Her Voice, Her Power,’” she said.
The dialogue brought together key stakeholders including UNICEF, Save the Children International, SOS Children’s Villages International, government agencies, youth advocates, and adolescent girls from across the country.
Highlights of the event included dance troupe performances, goodwill messages from development partners, panel discussions on breaking harmful social norms and building safer futures, as well as interactive audience sessions between adolescent girls, policymakers, and the Honourable Minister.
The Minister also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing the enabling environment for policies and programmes targeted at improving the lives of Nigerian women and children.
She concluded with a call for collective national action toward safeguarding the future of every Nigerian child.
“When we invest in her voice and listen to their voices, we strengthen our collective national power. When we protect one child, we alter the trajectory of an entire generation.”
The event ended with renewed commitments from stakeholders to build a safer, more inclusive Nigeria where every child is protected, empowered, and heard.
